Jade Palace's Radiance Illuminates the Cold Wasteland, Cannon's Thunder Shatters Dogs and Sheep

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes.

Zhao Cheng set down his wine cup, swept his gaze over everyone at the banquet, then slowly rose to his feet. "Your Majesty, I said I had a grand gift to present."

Ying Zheng had been waiting for this and could not help asking, "Oh? What gift?"

Zhao Cheng did not answer directly. Instead, he turned his head and glanced out the window.

Wu'an City beneath the night sky blazed with lights, like a luminous behemoth crouching upon the wilderness.

A meaningful smile touched his lips. "Your Majesty, please follow me."

Ying Zheng raised a brow and met Zhao Cheng's eyes for a moment before rising and following him helplessly. "Fine. I want to see what mystery you are making this time."

The center of Wu'an City.

A small Rail-Car carried Ying Zheng and the assembled ministers from Jade Light Tower, moving slowly along the bluestone avenue.

The people on either side of the street stopped one after another, watching that steel behemoth pass through the lights.

A short while later, the Rail-Car came to a steady stop before an open plaza.

The doors opened, and the night wind swept in, carrying an unfamiliar scent mixed with bluestone and metal.

Ying Zheng was the first to step out of the carriage.

Then he froze.

Before him stood a palace.

Not an ordinary residence, not the official yamen of a commandery governor, but a truly magnificent structure whose scale was nearly that of the main hall of the Qin palace.

It stood at the far end of the plaza like a slumbering black bird, radiating an awe-inspiring majesty that did not belong to this era—something almost miraculous—beneath the illumination of countless electric lamps.

The palace's foundation was built from massive